One of the 10th-round games in the Turkish Super Lig sees Fatih Karagumruk host Trabzonspor at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium on Sunday.
Karagumruk seek back-to-back victories after ending a prolonged winless run, while Black Sea Storm hope to move into the European places with a positive result.
Match preview
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The relief was palpable for Alparslan Erdem as a 2-0 success over Adana Demirspor ended Karagumruk's six-game streak without maximum points.
Goals from Nazim Sangare and Serdar Dursun settled proceedings in Istanbul, securing the club's second win of a below-par start to the campaign.
The club's inability to keep clean sheets has contributed to an underwhelming start to the season, and it is striking that maximum points have been secured in two of the three games the club have kept their opponents out at bay.
Back-to-back clean sheets could be a long shot for a side that have failed to keep successive shutouts in the league since April 2021, and this season's trend suggests that run continues on Sunday.
Erdem will welcome the club's second victory in front of their fans after going four games this season without maximum points at home.
Trabzonspor are currently one place higher in this season's embryonic table than they ended last term, and Black Sea Storm could move into the fourth spot if they better Besiktas' result this weekend.
Abdullah Avci returned to the club a fortnight back, replacing Nenad Bjelica after a 1-0 loss at Adana, and he got a 1-0 victory over Alanyaspor on his first game back.
The Trabzon outfit have secured consecutive wins just once this season — defeating Kasimpasa and Besiktas in successive gameweeks — and overcoming Fatih will be just what the doctor ordered for the away club.
However, a wretched away record in 2023-24 does little for optimism, with three defeats and one victory in four games one of the worst returns in the division.
Five of Trabzonspor's seven away goals came in a 5-1 triumph at Kasimpasa, underscoring the team's broader goalscoring issues on their travels.
Team News
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Kevin Lasagna, out since September, is doubtful for Sunday's game at Trabzonspor, with the home side also sweating over Flavio Paoletti, Salih Dursun and Matias Dituro.
Ryan Mendes and Levent Mercan's injuries add to Fatih's issues heading into this weekend's encounter.
Mislav Orsic remains a long-term absentee for Trabzonspor, with the forward expected to return in the New Year after his pre-season ACL injury.
Joaquin Fernandez and Huseyin Turkmen are touch-and-go, but Anastasios Bakasetas is not expected to return until November.
Fatih Karagumruk possible starting lineup:
Biglin; Biraschi, Dresevic, Ceccherini, Tintis; Rohden, Feghouli, Eysseric; Sangare, Yalcin, Keles
Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Aydin, Denswil, Baniya, Elmali; Ozdemir, Mendy; Visca, Omur, Bardhi; Onuachu
We say: Fatih Karagumruk 1-1 Trabzonspor
Karagumruk have been underwhelming on their turf, while Trabzonspor have suffered three defeats in four road games; a draw could be on the cards this weekend.
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